Off spot pin detecting and sweep control mechanism for bowling pin spotting machines



y 1950 G. J. SCHMIDT 2,514,457

OFF SPOT PIN DETECTING AND SWEEP CONTROL MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINES Filed April 8, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. G ofi'fried J: Schmidi' ATTOR NEY y 1950 G. J. SCHMIDT 2,514,457

OFF SPOT PIN DETECTING AND SWEEP CONTROL MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINES Filed April 8, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Gotff -zleclJ: Schm-Lclif ATTORNEY Patented July 11, 1950 oFF SPOT PIN DETECTING AND SWEEPCOZN- TROL MECHANISM FOR BOWLING PIN SPOTTING MACHINES Gottfried J. Schmidt, Pearl River, N. Y., assignor to Bowling Patents Management Corporation, a corporation of New-York UNITED STATES PATENT oer-[cs Application April 8, 1944, Serial No. 530,097

'Patent No. 2,298,718, issued October 13, 1942,'for

Bowling Pin Setting 'Machine Control Mechanism, although if desired this mechanism can be employed with other machines designed for the same purpose.

In a machine of the type shown in the'above referred to Nejedly patent, there is provided a pin setter mounted for movementto and from a pin setting and resetting position on a bowling alley. Mounted upon the setter are a plurality of pin resetting units preferably so constructed and arranged that each unit is individually movable laterally with respect to standing pins on the alley so that when the setter is lowered to the above referred to position, each standing pin, whether on or 01f spot will be lifted and reset in proper position on the alley. The range of action of each pin resetter unit is defined by it's peripheral extent, so that if a unit is circular its operative extent is controlled by its diameter.

It is well known that as'a result of play, pins may be moved by a ball thrown along the alley or walk as a resultof ball or falling pin movement. Usually the distance of pin travel is relatively small so that each resetter unit on the setter can perform its designed functions. 'However, at relatively infrequent intervals it may happen that a standing pin will move or be moved-beyond the range of operation of a resetter unit, and hence cannot be lifted and reset. In

such case the longitudinal axis of a standing pin 'pins so far removed from 'pin lifting position with respect to a resetter unit or units, the downward travel of the setter to its lifting and resetting position will be prevented. Hence, when it is raised pins which should have been lifted will remain standing on the alley. Under such conditions the sweep, which-is operative to remove deadwood or fallen pins from the alley all lil'lls time, will remove these standing pins, prevent proper :playing'nf the :game, and possibly result in an infraction o'f the rules of the game, such for instance as those established by the American BowlingCon'gress. -It i's,'therefore,1an object of my invention to 'prevent'the removalof pins remaining standing on an alley after aiball hasbeen thrown until all balls of .a frame have been thrown, and it is desired t'o 'set a new frameof pins.

It is an added object of my-invention to provide mechanism which will prevent removal of standing pins regardless of their positions on the playing bed ofan alley after the throwing of a ball unless each standing. pin has been properly lifted and'is supported above the alley during the operation of thefallen pin or deadwood removing mechanism.

It is a further object of my invention to insure against infracti'onof established rules of play, if forany reason-after the throwing of the first'ball of a frame, =-pins have walked'or 'beenimoved beyond the range of operativene'ss of the .pin resetting members on the pin setter and cannot be "picked up thereby 'for sweeping and resetting.

It is a further object of my invention to provide means fOrincap'acitating the pin removing mechanism which is normally operative to remove fallen pins or deadwood "from the alley and gutters unless pins remaining standing on the alley after 'the throwing of the first ball of a frame are located within the range of action of the pin handling mechanism provided for lifting and resetting 'the'same before and after the operation of' the pin removing mechanism.

It is a further objectof my invention to provide means for preventing operation of the pin removing mechanism, such as a sweep, normally operative to remove fallen pinsordeadwood from an alley after the throwing of a ball, especially the first ball of a game, if for any reason the pin handling device which sets and resets pins is prevented from moving to its 'p'in'lifting and resetting position.

It is '-a further object of 'my invention to provide selective control mechanism for controlling the operation of the pin removing mechanism 'or sweep after the throwing of a ball, and especially the first ball of a frame, if the pin handling device which sets and resets pins is preventedfrom moving to its pin lifting and resetting position, by reason of a pin moving beyond therange of operation of :a lifting unit, or two pins being positionec'l to be engaged by the same lifting unit.

It is a further object of my invention to probe described more fully hereinafter.

IB, by means of chain l9 running on sprocket ll,

aint mentioned in view, the invention consists in certain combinations and constructions whichwill be hereinafter fully described, and then set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings which form a' part of this specification, and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machin emcertain electric contacts;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic View showing part of the sweep control mechanism; and

Figure 6 is a. plan view of the cam controlling the operation of the setter in its movement to and from thealley.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention,

4 a shaft 34 rotatably supported in brackets 35 suitably fixed to the frame of the machine (as shown in Figure 1).

When a frame of pins has been set upon the bed of an alley, as shown in full lines in Figure 1, in readiness for play and th first ball is thrown down the alley, it lands in the pit adja- ,cent thereto, and rests on pit elevator E and depresses a control bar it] which closes a switch 16 of any suitable conventional type thereby making I a series circuit including conductors l4, l5 and solenoid S. The energization of solenoid S causes the clutch C, which ma be of the well known selected for purposes of illustration, as shown in T the several figures, there is provided a pin removing mechanism such as-a sweep R, which is mounted for movement to and from and back and forth along the alley at proper times after the throwing of a ball forremovingdeadwood' vent a player from throwing a ball until the sweep R has been returned to inoperative position, it is preferred to provide a guard G of the-type shown in the Rundell patent which cooperates with the sweep R and is located adjacent the alley during its operation and the setting and resetting of pins.

.The sweep and guard mechanism is operated from a motor M (Figure 1). Mounted upon motor shaft I2 is a sprocket H which is connected to the driving sprocket l3 loosely mounted on shaft 14 by means of a chain is. Fixed to shaft I4 is a sprocket l8 which is driven at suitable intervals by sprocket I3 and a clutch C which will Sprocket drives a shaft 18 to which sprocket I! is secured. Sprocket 28 on shaft [8 drives a chain 23 which runs on and drives sprocket 2! fast to shaft 22. A spur pinion 24 mounted on shaft 22 meshes with a spur gear 25 on camshaft 28 on which are mounted earns 21, 28 and 182 (Figure 3), which through th drive of the spur gears, above referred to, control the movement of the pin and ball remover or sweep R and guard G and setter T.

As disclosed in the Rundell patent, a lever 23 pivotally mounted on a pin 39 suitably supported in the frame of the machine has attached to one end a cable 3! which is trained over a pulley 32 llB by screws ll5 or other suitable means. clutch operating "member, such as a bolt H2 slid- Bliss type, to effect a driving engagement between sprocket-l3 and shaft l4 which through the several driving connections heretofore described causes cam shaft 26 to rotate through one revolution.

Upon movement of cam 21', cam follower 36 on lever 28 which bears against the cam surface-2'1, causes lever 29- to swingabout pin'30 and feed cable 3| over the-pulley 32 sufficiently to allow lever 33 and shaft 34 torock and locate the sweep Rand guard G adjacent the alley. Referring to Figure 1, it will be seen that in the form disclosed, guard G and sweep R are preferably mounted on a framework composed of substantially parallel front and rear arms 3'land 38, respectively. Front arms 3'! fixed to shaft 34, are connected by means of links 48 to rear arms 38, which are pivotally mounted in brackets-39 supported on the frame of the machine. In this manner provision is made for giving the frame a parallel horizontal motion as it descends upon the alley.

The frame is lowered under the control of cam 21 by gravity. One end of a cable 4! is attached approximately midway to a cross bar it connecting the front arms 3?, which cable is trained over pulleys 42 mounted on the frame of the machine and secured to a weight 43 of suitable proportions to actas a counterbalance for the frame. i

Guard G referred tohereinabove, is mounted on bar ll] fixed to the free ends of arms 31. The guard which may consist .of a board or other suitable ball deflecting member, moves down into a position adjacent the alley and remains stationary during the operation-of the sweep R. In this manner the-sweep, and'the pin setter, which is responsible for setting and resetting pins are protected against carelessly or inadvertently thrown balls anddamage to the machine is prevented inasmuch as a ball-cannot pass beyond the guard until all pin removal and setting or resetting operations have been effected and the frame returned to inactive position above the alley.

Sweep R- is operated by means of a cam follower 44 on cam lever. 45 pivotally mounted on shaft 41' suitably supported in the frame of the machine. Camfollower 44 engages a track in cam 28 loosely mounted on shaftffi (see Figures 1 and 3) and secured to aidriven clutch member A ably mounted in clutch member l I0 is pressed by spring l M into engagement with an aperture i I l in driving clutch member lM'fixed by key I05 to shaft 26. By means of this arrangement, cam

28 is normally g-ivenone complete revolution per cycle, unless asdescribed hereinbelow, the cam is disconnectedby withdrawal of bolt 2- from mounted on the machine frame and at its other:

aperture Ill. Cam 28 and driven clutch member no 'are'maintained in proper operative-relation .to clutch member 34 by means of collar )8 fixed to shaft 26 by screw {06.

- lateral and vertical movement.

Lever 45 is also provided with a gear segment idwhich meshes with a pinion 48 on shaft'49 and G, are arms 1! in which is journalled a shaft Bil having fixed at one end a double sprocket 57, 59, and-at the other end a sprocket 6!. Trained over sprocket is a chain 58 which transfers rotary movement from sprocket 56 to shaft 69. sprockets 64, 65 mounted on studs fixed in the free ends of arms 38 support chains 62 extending between sprockets 59 and 64,

Idler and between sprockets B and 65 respectively. Sweep R, is

secured to support chains 62 for movement longitudinally back and forth along the alley in a manner similar to that shown and described in the above referred to Rundell Patent 2,250,503.

It is evident, therefore, that sweep R, in the illustration, is so mounted that in the normal operation of the machine, the sweep R and guard G are moved into operative position relative to the alley after each ball of a frame has been thrown along the alley. In the normal operation of the machine after the first ball, any standing pins are lifted by the units U on the setter which dwells above the alley during the travel of the sweep along the alley to move fallen pins or deadwood into the pitat the end of the alley. After the throwing of the last ball allotted per frame, all deadwood, as well as any pins standing on the alley are moved by sweep R into the pit, after which the sweep returns to inactive position adjacent the guard, a new frame of pins is set, and the guard and sweep are moved to inoperative position, as shown in full lines in Figure 1, in order that play may continue.

The mechanism constituting the present in- I vention is designed primarily to prevent removal of any standing pin or pins remaining on the alley if for any reason the individual pin resetting units U on setter T cannot engage a pin normally positioned to be gripped and lifted thereby. For instance, in the usual game of tenpins, two balls are allotted for each frame. The resetter units U on setter T are so spaced in triangular arrangement, that after the throwing of the first ball, when setter T is lowered, any standing pin has located thereabove a re-setter unit U adapted to grip and lift the same when the setter is raised and held above the alley during the operation of the guard and sweep.

The preferred design of units U is the same as that shown in the Nejedly .patent referred to hereinabove. Each unit U may be likened generally to a truncated cone or inverted funnel mounted on a support plate 91 for independent In this way as setter T is lowered, the handle end of a standing pin bears against the inclined side I44 of a unit and causes the whole unit to shift and align itself therewith. Since pins have a tendency to walk as a result of being hit by a ball or falling pins, it is common knowledge that all pins remaining standing after a ball has been thrown may not occupy their original on-center or on-spot positions. The above arrangement insures that standing on and/or off spot pins will be lifted, and reset after sweeping in substantially the positions each occupied prior to lifting.

While the units U are so designed and spaced on plate 9'! of setter T, that under all normal conditions on or offv spot pins will be lifted after the throwing of the first ball so that sweep R may remove fallen pins, it may happen'on relatively rare occasions that astanding pin may walk or be moved by a ball or falling pins beyond the limits of operation of a unit Upositioned on setter T to engage such pin, or as a result of the travel of the ball two pins maybe positioned in close adjacency one to the other. Hence, when setter T is lowered, -such unit U cannot operate to grip and lift the pin. An example of this condition is illustrated diagrammatically-in Figure 3 where a pin P has walked to a position between two units U and cannot be gripped by either. Also the downward movement of thesetter T to its lowermost position or to setting-resetting position is prevented because of the engagement by plate 9! thereof with the head of one or more standing pins. A similar condition would obtain if two pins were located in close adjacency, as mentioned above. In such case no standing pin can be lifted'and in the operation'of setter control cam Hi2 the setter is raised leavingall pins standing on the alley subject to removal by the sweep Since there is another ball or balls to be thrown, it is obvious that this condition interferes radically with further play of that frame. Therefore, mechanism is provided for incapacitating the sweep to prevent removal of these pins.

The construction and operation of setter or table T may be generally the same as that shown in the Nejedly patent aforementioned. The setter may consist of a frame provided with a hollow supporting shaft 390, mounted for turning in slide blocks 39! supported in slides 3 formed in side uprights 6 located at opposite sides of the machine for movement to and from the playing surface of the alley for setting and resetting pins thereon. As shown in the Nejedly patent, setter devices (not shown) and resetter units U are mounted on the setter for setting and resetting pins, respectively.

In order to accomplish the desired movement of the table T, to and from the pin supporting surface of the alley, there may be provided, as in the above referred to Nejedly patent, a gear segment 2t!) formed on lever 292 loosely mounted on shaft l8 and provided with a. cam follower 2m engaging cam i 02, which segment engages a pinion act fixed to a shaft 2% mounted in side frames 2. Also fixed to shaft 266 is a sprocket 268 about which is trained sprocket chain 2!!! running on sprccket-2l2 fixed to shaft 2 l4 supported in bearings 2&6 secured to machine frame up rights 6. Mounted on shaft 2 [4 adjacent uprights 6 are drum pulleys 2!!! upon which are wound cables 9 attached to slides 8. Rotation of cam H12, therefore, results in the winding and unwinding of cables 9 and the raising and lowering of table T to upper pin receiving and lower pin lifting positions. A suitable counterweight (not shown) may be used to balance the table T.

Each resetter unit U carries a fluid operated switch device are and said devices close contacts in the several units U in a series circuit 56!! (Figures 3 and 4) whenever the setter T is lowered after the throwing of the first ball and a strike has been made in which case all pins are knocked down. All switch contacts 328 in the units U also close in the conditions above described, as where a pin standing on the playing surface has walked beyond the limits of operation of a unit U but the removal of such pin or pin isprecludedby 'incapac'itating the sweep, as described hereinabove. In order to prevent the delivery of anew set of pins to the'alley by suitable mechanism, such as disclosed in my above referred to patent N 0. 2,346,189, it will be seen that even though all switches 320 are closed by operation of the fluid lines, nevertheless switches 344, 348 and 364, 366 remain open and the circuit to'the pin feeding contro1 mechanism (not shown) remains open (Figure 3). Operating fluid, such as suction, is conducted by conduits '76, I6 through shaft 390 to suitable pipes (not shown) connected to each of the units U. The mechanism for controlling the operation of units U and switch devices 326 can be the same as shown in the above referred to Nejedly patent and since this mechanism does not form a specific part of the present invention,

further description and showing are omitted in the interest of brevity.

As mentioned hereinabove, upon each movement of setter T to pin lifting position after the first ball of a frame is thrown, series circuit 566 is closed through the resetter units U, unless upon normal. full movement of the setter T, as shown in Figure 4, standing pins hold at least one of the switches open and prevent this circuit from being made. In the case where the setter is prezvented from moving to its full lower position be- 2 cause a standing pin has walked beyond the range of action of a given unit U, so that the setter T occupies the position shown in full lines in Figure 3, switches 320 are closed by operation of the fluid control mechanism (not shown), but switches 344, 348 and 364, 366 are open and delivery of a new set of pins to the alley is prevented.

In order to overcome conditions such as noted above, control mechanism is provided to maintain proper continued operation of the machine, and

insure the normal operation'of sweep R. after each ball of a frame, and incapacitate the sweep when the conditions described hereinabove occur.

A suitable control is shown in Figures 3 and 4. This control includes a movable member, such as disc I22 and suitable associated control elements, and a ratchet relay of suitable conventional design, shown diagrammatically in Figure 3 and designated F, and the other circuits and associated elements shown in Figure 3.

Fixed toshaft 26 is a gear Il6 which drives gear II8 secured to shaft I23 and held in operative position relative to frame 2 by collar I2I. Also secured to shaft I26 is a disc I22 having mounted thereon substantially 180 apart, contact plates I24, I26. As shown in Figures 3 and 5,

the contact plates I23, I23 are located on opposite sides of disc I22. The relation between gears H6, H8 is such that shaft I26 makes onehalf rotation for every complete revolution of shaft 26. When for example, in playing tenpins,

as a, result of the first ball of a frame thrown,

a pin has walked or been moved out of the range of operation of a unit U, or when two pins have become relocated in close adjacency, as setter T moves downwardly, plate 97 engages the head end or ends of such pins and further downward movement of the setter to its lowermost or pin lifting and setting position is prevented. At this intermediate position, switch member I54 mounted on support 343 (Figure 3) engages switch member I56 fixed to support 346. Support 333 is attached to bracket 355 clamped to shaft 398. A contact plate 323, also suitably fixed to bracket 356, carries spaced contacts 332 which are adapted to engage with contacts 329, 362 mounted on support plate 334 secured to setter T. Whensetter T occupies a position shown in Figure 4, contacts 332 engage with contacts 329, 362 and complete series circuit 566. Cables 9, supporting the setter T for raising and lowering, will continue to be paid out, as the setter is held up by a standing pin or pins. Supports 323 and 346, shown broken away in Figures 3 and 4, illustrate diagrammatically the relative positions of the several switches.

The relative positions of disc I22 and contact plates 624, I26 carried thereby, contacts I28, I30 and support 333 are such that switch members I54, I56 are normally momentarily in engagement and separated again as setter T is moved in its normal operation downwardly to pin lifting and resetting position before contacts I24, I28 or I26, I36 become engaged as the result of rotation of disc I22. When, however, a pin has walked too far off-spot and occupies a position such as shown in Figure 3, downward movement of setter T to pin lifting position is prevented because bottom plate 31 engages the head of a standing pin. In this condition switch members I53, I53 come into and remain in engagement until the setter T is again moved upwardly. For this reason contacts I24, I28 on disc I22 are mounted for engagement by stationary contacts I 23, I33 at some suitable angle, say 30 from zero, in the cycle.

As shown in Figure 3, ratchet relay F, which may be of any suitable conventional commercial type, such as series 8-125, made by Guardian Electric Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Illinois, consists of an electromagnet 326 acting on an armature 333 pivoted at 33I which is normally held against stop 323 by spring 323. A spring urged pawl 330 of conventional design is pivotally mounted on the end of armature 336 and engages a ratchet 332' on shaft 337 suitably supported in the ratchet relay. Cam 336 is also mounted on shaft 337. Contact arm 3M is provided with a nose portion 339 which rests against cam 336 and is held thereagainst by spring 3M. Contact point 353i on the end of arm 3 alternately engages points 333 and 355 as cam 336 rotates. Ratchet 332' has twice as many teeth as the number of high points on cam 336 in order to effect the desired alternate engagement between contact point 35I and points 353, 355. It follows, therefore, that on successive operations of electromagnet 32S, contact point 355i is alternately brought in contact with points 353 and 355.

Contact 353 is connected to switch I36 which Is closed by segment I26 on one side of disc I22. Contact 355 is connected to switch I28, closed by segment I24 on the opposite side of disc I22. Therefore, as long as arm 3 H does not move, the circuit from arm 32] to wire 364, connected to the other side of switches I36 and I26, is closed only once during each full revolution of disc I22 or once for each two-ball frame. In the position shown, with contact point 35I engaging point 353, switch I33 is closed by segment I26, this operation occurring during the first ball cycle only.

In case the first ball of a frame has knocked a pin P far enough off center without topping it, to engage the bottom plate 9'! of the pin setter T, as shown in Figure 3, relay magnet 3I2 will be energized through switch I36, contact points 35335I and contacts I56 and I54. Relay magnet 3I2 closes contact 3I3, thereby energizing solenoid I42. Connected to the plunger of solenoid I42 is one end of lever [32,the other end of which .9 isadapted to be moved against the action of spring I40 into the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 3 to position nose I48 on lever [32 in the path of movementof shoulder I50a of slide bolt H2 and thereby cause disengagement of clutch slide bolt I I! in the manner described, to discontinue operation of cam 28 and hence prevent operation of sweep R. In a case such as this, continued rotation of cam I02 results in raising setter T to its dwell position above the alley leaving on and/or off-spot pins standing on the alley bed. Any deadwood or fallen pins'can be removed manually, if necessary, after which play can be resumed as usual.

If a standingpin is moved to the position shown in Figure 3 by the secondball of a frame, relay 312 is not energized. This time switch I28 is closed by segment I24, but contact 355 is open.

If all pins areknocked downby'the first ball of a'frame (a strike), all switches 32!] are closed by the fluid operating means, as disclosed in the above referred to 'Nejedly Patent No. 2,298,718, when the pin setter T reaches its lowest position. Consequently magnet 326 of the ratchet relay is energized through switches 32!], contact spring 344 engaging point 348 and spring 364 engaging point 356; Ratchet "332' is-moved one tooth and point 35I breaks away from :point 353 and engages point355. Spring I54 is notin engagement with point I56 while switch I3!) is closed by segment I26, so relay 3I2 is not energized during this cycle. Through suitable'mechanism (not shown) which can beof the type shown inmy above referred to Patent No. 2,346,189, ten new pins are set on the alley during the remaining part of the cycle.

The cycle following this strike cycle must again be a first ball cycle. Assume a pin is knocked offcenter in this first ball cycle beyond the range of cones I44. As switch I30 is closed during the previous (strike) cycle, switch I28 is going to close this time and, with arm 3 in lower position, the circuit to relay 3I2 will now be completed through points 35I-355 and switch I28. In other words switch I28 has now become the first ball switch until another strike comes along, advancing ratchet 332' another tooth and returning arm 3M to upper position.

In Figure 3 a suitable circuit for energizing solenoid 3| 2 and effecting the operation of clutch operating lever I32 is disclosed. Power lines L1 and L2 are connected to the high side of transformer 331. From the low side of transformer 30?, power is conducted by conductor .394 to contacts I24 or I26, thence through contacts 35I and 355 or through contacts 35I and 353, through contact lever 3.4L contacts I55 and I54, conductor 368, through the coil of solenoid M2 and conductor 3! back to the low side of transformer 301. When this circuit is made, solenoid 382 is energized and closes switch 3E3. This results in establishing a circuit including power line L1, conductor M6, the coil of solenoid I42, now closed switch 3I3, conductor 3! and power line L2, which energizes solenoid I42, and as described hereinabove, clutch lever I32 is moved to locate nose I48 in position to engage shoulder Hit-a of slide bolt H2 and interrupt the operation of cam 28, thereby preventing the operation of sweep R. Adjusting screws I36, mounted in projections I3! on a bracket I39, suitably attached to frame 2, are adjusted in desired positions to limit the extent of movement of lever I32.

The invention above described. may be varied in construction within the scope of the claims, for

fit

10 the particular device, selected to illustrate the invention, is but. one of many possible concrete embodiments of the same. It is not, therefore, to be restricted to the precise details of the structure shown and described.

What is claimed is:

I. In a bowling pin setting machine, an elevator, means for moving said elevator to and from the playing surface of an alley to set pins onspot and reset pins on or off-spot in substantially triangular'playing arrangement thereon, means operative after each ball. has been .thrown for effecting movement of said elevator :to and from said surface, a supportingplate carried by said elevator, said "plateibeing provided with a plurality of openings-[pin removing mechanism, means for operating said mechanism to remove pins from said surface after the throwing of each ball, means "for determining the presence of standing pins on said-surface after thethrowing of the first'ball of a frame comprising spaced'pin handling unitspositioned on said plate and located in substantially triangular arrangement above said openings, and means operative if any pins standingon said surface after the first ball is thrown have moved off-spot and beyond the limits of operation 'of a unit between said openings in said plate, whereby said plate engages the head ofa standing-pin for incapacitating said mechanism to preventrenioval ofsaid standing pinfrom said alley surface'. I

' 2. In a bowling pinsettin'gmachineQan eleva tor, a plurality of spaced pin resetters onsaid elevator, means for moving said elevator to and from the playing surface of an alley after the throwing of a ball to locate said resetters in position to grip and lift any pin standing on said alley after the throwing of a ball, a pin sweep, mechanism operative after the throwing of a ball for moving said sweep back and forth along said alley, an electric circuit connecting said resetters, means normally operative to close said circuit unless said means is incapacitated by a pin standing on said alley as a result of the first ball of a frame thrown, and means for preventing operation of said mechanism if a pin remaining standing on said alley after the first ball prevents movement of said elevator to said position, said mechanism including a shaft, a cam loosely mounted on said shaft, a driving member, a clutch normally coupling said member to said cam, and means for declutching said member from said cam when said sweep is to be rendered inactive. I

3. In a bowling pin setting machine, a sweep for removing fallen and unwanted pins from a bowling alley, driving means for operating said sweep after each ball of a frame thrown, a control device for said driving means, a movable control member, means moving said control member in timed relation with said driving means, an electric circuit connecting said device and member, spaced contacts on opposite sides of said member, complementary contacts located in said circuit for alternate engagement by said contacts on said member, and means operable after the throwing of the first ball of a frame and knocking down of all pins on said alley for operating said device to cause one or the other of said contacts on said movable member to engage one of said complementary contacts and be connected in said circuit.

4. In a bowling pin setting machine, a sweep for removing fallen and unwanted pins from a bowling alley, driving means for operating said sweep after each ball of a frame thrown, a control device for said driving means, a movable control member, means moving said control member in timed relation with said driving means, an electric circuit connecting said device and member, spaced contacts on opposite sides of said member, complementary contacts located in said circuit for alternate engagement by said contacts on said member, means operable after the throwing of the first ball of a frame and knocking down of all pins on said alley for operating said device to cause one or the other of said contacts on said movable member to engage one of said complementary contacts and be connected in said circuit, and means for incapacitating said driving means whenever said circuit is completed.

5. In a bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pin supporting surface, a pin handling device movable to and from said surface, mechanism for removing pins from said surface, means for operating said mechanism after the throwing of each ball of a frame along said surface, means for moving said device to a pin lifting position above said surface, and control means operative during the continued operation of said machine if said device is prevented from moving to said pin lifting position for incapacitating said mechanism, said control means comprising a rotatable disc, an electric circuit, control contacts carried by said disc, a ratchet relay connected in said circuit, a contact member operated by said relay to make said circuit through one of said contacts on said disc, and.

12 means operative upon completion of said circuit to incapacitate said mechanism.

6. In a bowling pin setting machine for use with a bowling alley having a pin supporting surface, a pin handling device movable to and from said surface, mechanism for removing pins from said surface, means for operating said mechanism after the throwing of each ball of a frame along said surface, means for moving said device to a pin lifting position above said surface, and control means operative during the continued operation of said machine if said device is prevented from moving to said pin lifting position for incapacitating said mechanism, said control means comprising a rotatable disc, an electric circuit, control contacts carried by said disc, a ratchet relay connected in said circuit, a contact member operated by said relay to make said circuit through one of said contacts on said disc, means operative upon completion of said circuit to incapacitate said mechanism, and control elements operative whenever said circuit remains broken for continuing the operation of said mechanism.

GO'ITFRIED J. SCHMIDT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,806,274 Williams May 19, 1931 2,388,708 Bates Nov. 13, 1945 

